Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-26
ITS GROWTH IS STEADY.
Tho Progress and Destiny Of Deer Lodge
Its Educational Facilities and
Business Prosperity.
No Vacant Stores But Substantial Inn.
proyements Erect, d and Pros
pective- Mining Com.
pany Organised.

p80y Va 60uAA0Os
DEER LODGE, Mont, October 81. 1887.
Especial correspondence of The Miner.]-
The town from which I write is not so
frequently heard OF in the outside world as
other points in Montana, but is destined in
the near future to attain q prominence of
which the Territory may be proud. Years
ago it was thought to make this an educa.
tional centre and the facilities for acquiring
an education are not surpassed in any
place west of the Missouri. The College Of
Montana, whose early history was series
of struggles, is now on q paying basis, with
larger attendance than even its most
sanguine well-wishers ever predicted. DR..
Mcmillan, the President, is justly elated
and said the other day that no small
measure Of the success already attained
by the institution was due. the press Of
Montana. 1.-THE papers throughout the
Territory" said the Doctor, 'have invari.
ably spoken kindly of our efforts. and the
knowledge Impaired to pupils has been the
occasion OF kindly comment. Believe me
tho College of Montana is not insensible of
the aid it has received from the press"
St. Mary's Academy, under charge of the
Sisters of Charity, is also located here. The
attendance is good, the. pupils
ha made most satisfactory prog
ress, and the establishment is rapidly
growing in esteem. The public schools here
have long been noted as among the best in
the West. Good instructors are employed
and the fame of the schools ia such that
many families make Deer Lodge their home
during the school term, removing here from
other localities to give their children the
benefit of the superior instruction the
schools afford. At this writing the Teach
ers Institute ia in session. Territorial Su-
perintendent Logan, County Superintend-
ent Wolfe and some twenty-five teachers
are in attendance. The session began yes
terday and terminates tomorrow. The
session has been one OF unusual interest
thus far, and bids fair to surpass any yet
had in this county.
FEW IMPROVEMENTS.
More tantialimprovements have been
made during the past six months than in
double the length of time for more than a
decade. An excellent system of water
works has been put in at cost of over
$35 900, and the town is not only sup
plleO Will pure IuouuVdiu "dleE, Ouo 10
given almost absolute guarantee against
destruction by fire. Fire plugs are To-
Gated throughout the business and resi-
dence part of the town, the cumbersome
man-killing hand.engine dispensed with,
and the volunteer brigade announce their
ability to cope with and quickly sdbdue
any fire which may originate. The Deer
Lodge Fair and Racing Association, whose
name indicates it's object, has. at an ex-
p~nse of some 81 900. fitted up the grounds
east OF town, and joined the Montana cir
cult. As something which augurs success
for the D. L. F. & r. A. I may mention
that the initial meeting, held between the
Helena and Butte meetings, was a
financial success. The grounds are well
laid ont, have good buildings, are con.
venient of access and a desirable addition
to the town. The grou, DIS are owned by a
corporation Of home capitalists and will be
devoted to measures to promote the
welfare of this section and not alone for
gain. New buildings are to he seen on all
Sides The most notable business strnc-
ture is that of Van Gundy IL Miller. a
handsome two-story brick, with iron and
glass front the first in town. l. is quite
| imposing even in an unfinished state and
| will prove an incentive to other property
owners to replace fimsy wooden structures
with something more durable.
NO VACANT BUILDINGS.
Hearing an inquiry for a business loca-
! tiOn led your correspondent to make an in.
| vestigation the other day which resulted
! that there is not vacant business building
! in the town. This speaks well for the mer
camille and manufacturing industries and
also for landlords. 1t ia not a great while
since a location could he had at any season
and the new conner was not c. .nfned to one
building or locality in making the selection
The town has not doomed. Its boom de.
parted with the decadence Of placer mining
| as the chief industry OF this section. but it,
growth has been gradual and substantial
Every man or firm who have engaged in
business here. and gave it proper attention
have acquired competence. Business
men have no need to complain, and conse'
quently they do not. The improvement. t.
made the past few months brought a small
army of skilled mechanics and laborers
here and there has not been an idle NAL
to be found. Of course there il the usual
quota of loafers-no hamlet would b'
complete without them. The wood indus
try gives employ ment to a large number o.
choppers, teamsters, flume men and load
ers, and at q conservative estimate two
hundred are employed by the compan!
which markets most Of its fuel in Butte.
MENTION OF RESOURCES.
Deer Lodge is the natural supply poin
for a large area of agricultural country. TO
the stock men, and for the miners. A tow
whose prosperity is alone based on agric IL
Iture is one whose prosperity will neve
wane. Add to this the assured revenue
from other sources and you bave some ide;
as to the solidity and permanence OF thi
village. just at present there is a ripple q
excitement over q mine few miles south
east of here. 1t was owned by Mos
Menard until last night. He has had
force OF men on it for some months. Th
property is developed by a 1OO-foot shaft
from the bottom of which drifts we're ruI
; east and west. The west drift ran into
barren streak forty feet from the shaft
The owner, not discouraged, returned t.
) the shaft and started drift on tn
) lead which was rewarded b.
running into a seam of rich native silve
ore, giving as high as $500 per ton am
which will average $50. Mr.. Menar'
had spent some IS 600 in the development
; of the property. and the discovery cam
! in good time. Not feeling financially abl
to proceed to work the mine as it shoul'
!, be he made proposition to q few gentle
, j
hi. offer was accepted at meeting hel!
last night. Messrs. N. J. Bielenberg A. H
: Mitchell E. L. Bonner, J. B. Mem stei
Nose Merard. II. s. Reed, w. N. Ayles
worth, J. f. Van Gundy and H. X. White
: hill ar. the 'ncorp"rstors and the article
, are now being drawn. The stock will cor
sist # 100000 shares OF which MI
/ Menar, received 100000 10 payment 10
= the mine. A working capital 5000
shares will be put on the market and tn
|incorporators have the privilege OF p|acin
an additional $4,000 should it lie deeme
necessary. At the meeting last night 81
900 sha res VT re taken at once and ther
= was acrive demand for the remaiilin
+ 9, 900 this forenoon. The working fore
is to be doubled at once and the ne,
, management will speedily determine wha
there is of value in the mine
Should it prove paying propert
r it's working will lead to tn
> active development OF a grea
c many other locations IN the same locaiit y
upon which little aside from the annus
representative work necessary to hold tn